Former EEDC Employee Arrested for Bypassing and Tampering with Customer Meters

A former employee of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) was arrested last week in Anambra State for tampering with and bypassing prepaid meters for customers.

EEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, revealed this in a statement on Thursday in Enugu. The suspect, identified as Lawrence Okeke, specialized in replacing original meter sensors with fake ones, thus bypassing the meters and preventing them from recording actual consumption. This malpractice has negatively affected the company’s revenue.

Following a whistle-blower’s report, the company’s Meter Monitoring Team conducted a routine inspection at various locations. At one premises on Bida Road, Onitsha, they discovered that the meter had been bypassed and the original sensor replaced with a fake one. The customer, upon interrogation, admitted to the findings and identified Lawrence Okeke, an ex-EEDC employee, as the person responsible for the tampering.

Lawrence was promptly tracked, arrested, and handed over to the Central Police Station in Onitsha, where he is currently assisting with the investigation. Ezeh noted that Lawrence, from Adogba Village in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, had been dismissed from EEDC in December 2020 for gross misconduct.

“The apprehension of the suspect by the team is a significant breakthrough in the organization’s fight against meter bypass and energy theft,” Ezeh said. “It is believed that once the investigation is concluded, many more illegal activities perpetrated by individuals like Lawrence within our network will be uncovered.”

Ezeh cautioned customers against engaging in meter bypass, emphasizing that the company has intensified its prepaid meter monitoring efforts and anyone caught will face severe consequences. He also warned customers to be wary of former EEDC employees who falsely present themselves as current staff, engaging in criminal activities and extorting customers.

“Customers should always verify the identity of individuals claiming to be EEDC staff, as many impostors are conducting illegal activities while pretending to represent the company,” Ezeh warned.

He commended the whistle-blower for the information leading to Lawrence’s arrest and encouraged customers to report any suspected cases of meter bypass and energy theft.